Testimony from people representing a wide-range of non-profit organizations, convinced the Issaquah City Council not to cut $48,750 for human services from the 2013 city budget.
The budget of $119,831,107 was approved unanimously, although the vote on the human services number was approved by a four-vote majority with three abstentions.
Council president Tola Marts, and council members Mark Mullet and Joshua Schaer were the three abstentions.
The money for human services was included in Mayor Ava Frisinger’s original budget proposal. It will come from the city’s reserves said Diane Marcotte, the city’s finance director.
Cori Kauk, director with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, said when client needs increase for the food bank, needs at other non-profits also increase.
“Every day an Issaquah family falls off a fiscal cliff into homelessness,” said Maggie Baker with the Issaquah Human Services Commission.
Baker said it is a struggle to divvy up the same amount of money when there is more need. She said the commission was not able to fully fund several non-profits or agencies, and that 1,365 citizens 65-years or older cannot feed themselves, get clothing or medications. Baker practically begged the council not to make the cuts.
Testimony came from Debbie Berto with Issaquah Community Services, Robin Callahan from the Issaquah Schools Foundation as well as the Nourishing Networks, and a resident of ARCH (a regional coalition for housing) who left an abusive relationship only to find herself homeless, with a baby.
She was able to find transitional housing before finding permanent housing with the help of ARCH, and is now working, going to school, and getting her life back in order.
Kristi Tripple with Rowley spoke on behalf of the Eastside Baby Corner which shelters victims of domestic violence and other critical situations, to provide food, diapers and other goods for children.
Erica Horn, the executive director for Hero House, spoke on behalf of the organization, which although in Bellevue, services Issaquah residents. It provides support for the mentally ill.
Two high school students, Alaina Blythe and Andrew Hansen, spoke on behalf of Teen Link, a group that empowers teens to make healthy decisions. Friends of Youth, which provide mental outpatient services and homeless shelter for youth, implored the council not to make the cuts, noting that 122 youths with anxiety, depression or drug problems have come to them this year.
It was council member Eileen Barber who made the motion to not reduce Human Services, seconded by Paul Winterstein. Fred Butler voted yes, stating that the testimony they had heard was “very, very compelling.” Stacy Goodman was the fourth yes vote.
Barber noted that $48,000 is a drop in the bucket, with Winterstein concurring that it was a good return on the investment.
The 2013 budget includes the hiring of one new police officer and a communications coordinator.
Of the overall budget, 36 percent is the general fund of $42 million. Police take up the largest part – 20 percent — of the general fund.
Fifty-two percent of Issaquah’s revenue is made up of sales, property and utility taxes. The budget did not include any increase in property taxes or utility rates.
